Carpal tunnel syndrome and workers’ comp

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that affects many workers in Connecticut, and some of them may be wondering if it can be covered under the workers’ compensation program. The answer varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction since there have been many legal and medical debates about the nature of CTS, but the condition is in fact the one for which injury benefits are most commonly paid out. CTS accounts for about one third of all workers’ comp benefits.

CTS occurs when the median nerve, which passes through the carpal bones, becomes pinched or squeezed. This pinching in turn occurs when the carpal tunnel, or the space between the carpal bones and the median nerve, swells through repetitive motion. The result is pain, numbness, and a pins-and-needles sensation in the hand, as if the hand were falling asleep. The condition can become so painful as to prevent victims from completing basic activities.

Those who frequently use their hands, such as desk workers and assembly line workers, are at the highest risk for CTS. Severe cases of CTS require surgery to correct. Carpal tunnel injuries can be classified under ergonomic injuries, so victims who think they have a valid workers’ compensation claim will want to see a lawyer who focuses on this field.

Lawyers can evaluate a workers’ compensation claim to see if it’s valid. This may require them to hire third parties to search for proof linking carpal tunnel syndrome to the repetitive motions required of workers. Experienced lawyers can also provide representation if the claim is disputed or denied by the employer or its insurer.